CANADIANS LIBERATE CALAIS

Southland Times, Issue 25483, 2 October 1944, Page 5

CANADIANS LIBERATE CALAIS

SURRENDER OF GERMAN GARRISON NIJMEGEN SALIENT STRENGTHENED (United Press Association—Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. 11.15 p.m.) LONDON, October 1. Calais has now been completely liberated, the garrison having surrendered to the Canadians at midnight on Saturday. The German commander in the city surrendered 12 hours after the attack was resumed following the truce to allow civilians to escape from the town. When he surrendered, the German commander still had about 4000 troops under his command in the city.

When the attack was resumed aircraft roared in from the sea, the guns opened up and the Canadian infantry swept in behind tanks. The attack met with almost immediate success and the Germans surrendered in hundreds. Although he had received no order from Hitler to surrender, the German commander took the view that the situation was hopeless. Calais was the nearest point to England held by the Germans. It is stated that the Germans are almost certain to have carried out extensive demolition work. On the western front, Lieutenant-General Sir Miles Dempsey’s 2nd British Army has continued to strengthen its Nijmegen salient, and heavy German counter-attacks on both the eastern and western flanks of the salient have been repulsed. Steady progress has been made over the AntwerpTurnhout canal in spite of stiff German resistance. North-west of Belfort heavy German counter-attacks have been thrown back and American troops have gained ground east of Nancy.